SCÓLÁIREACHTÍ GAELTACHTA: (i) Our club received two Gaeltacht scholarships this summer. These scoláireachtaí amounted to c.€340. Ní beag an méid sin! Thanks must go to the GAA (TDB, KY County Board, Comhairle na Mumhan) for this continued support for our club’s juvenile members/players and their supportive parents who understand the value of 3 beneficial weeks being spent in an Irish language environment. A special thanks to the county’s Scór Officer (Oifigeach na Gaeilge!), Christy Killeen, who played an important part in the process. Comhghairdeachas le Brian agus Éanna a chaith trí seachtaine i nGaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne. (ii) Now is the time to plan a Gaeltacht ‘holiday’ for summer 2019! Contact should be made with club officials immediately after Christmas…to avoid disappointment! Mura bhfuil agat ach pocán gabhair, bí i lár an aonaigh in am!!

SCÓR: Scór na nÓg is on the horizon and dancers, a storyteller/reciter, a 4-person quiz team, a ballad group and a musical group are required to represent the Austin Stack Club. The Tralee District Scór will be held before December 2nd and the county finals before December 15th. Age: under 17 on the 1st January 2019. Never venture, never win!

NA PIARSAIGH (Corcaigh): In 1943 a group of idealistic young schoolboys founded Cork’s Na Piarsaigh. These young men had a great love for Irish national culture and games. They felt that existing clubs, and indeed the GAA itself, were not aspiring to the founding ideals of the Association. In choosing a name for the club, the members sought one which would reflect their aims and ideals. Pádraig Mac Piarais, it was felt, because of his underlying love of Ireland and all things Irish, reflected those ideals admirably. Thus the name ‘Na Piarsaigh’ (‘The Pearses’) was adopted. A set of geansaithe (black and amber!!) was acquired. The symbolic red hand of Ulster with severed thumb was selected as the club crest after careful consideration. (Did you know that?) The red hand represents Ireland, the severed thumb the six north eastern counties. Their thinking was that when Ireland would be reunited the thumb would again rejoin the fingers to create a strong and useful hand! Spéisiúil! The newly formed club, as part of its policy, decided to conduct its affairs as far as possible through the medium of Irish. Indeed, the policy extended to the field of play where the players addressed one another in the native tongue. So novel was this approach to GAA affairs that it led to a certain amount of resentment amongst other clubs. The national outlook was then in such a state during what is termed the ‘Emergency’ (WW II) that any willingness to promote Irish language culture generally met with strong opposition. An-spéisiúil!